Training tool

ABSTRACT

To allow selection of width interval when held by both hands, enhance the gripping performance, and be applicable to training and rehabilitation of various parts of the body aside from hands and feet. 
     An integral loop of oblong rectangular frame in a plan view consisting of a pair of first grips  1   a  almost parallel and relative to each other, and a pair of second grips  1   b  almost parallel and relative to each other, connecting both ends of the first grips  1   a , in a smaller mutual interval as compared with the first grips  1   a . The first grips  1   a  are straight or slightly curved, and the second grips  1   b  are curved like an bow as seen from the front, and slightly narrowed in an inward direction of the rectangular frame in a plan view so as to be mutually closer in the central portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a training tool used in muscle stretching, muscle strengthening, physical massage, physical checkup, aesthetic weight loss training, in-hospital rehabilitation, and other training menu, and usable in various applications depending on training position of human body, mode of use, or other selection.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Hitherto, various training tools are known, as shown in patent documents listed below. For example, patent document 1 discloses a muscle training tool of automobile driving wheel type consisting of four bent pipes of cushioning property with rigid coil springs linked between them to have a ring form. Patent document 2 discloses a health ring having undulated surfaces for massaging feet and arms by rolling. Patent document 3 discloses another health ring having beads contained in a flexible net bag of doughnut shape. Patent document 4 discloses a ring-shaped health tool having a plurality of balls linked by a string coupler of flexible elastic member.

Patent document 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-58161 Patent document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-157590 Patent document 3: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-33420 Patent document 4: Japanese Patent Publication No. 9-239065

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, such conventional training tools each has a pipe which takes a doughnut shape or a circular shape. When the pipe is gripped by both hands, an interval in the width direction between grips is always constant. If it is required to have many portions to be gripped positioned at different intervals to cope with muscle training of different parts of body, many tools each having grips at a different interval from other tools must be prepared. Further, rings of smaller diameter such as gymnastic flying rings are not suitable for firmly gripping by both hands because portions to be gripped is too close to each other when they are gripped by both hands. Besides, in such ring-type training tools, the purpose is mainly limited to massaging and training of hands, arms, feet and legs. They are inconvenient for the muscle stretching, muscle strengthening or physical massage in other parts of the body. When considered use of these conventional tools for physical checkup, aesthetic weight loss training, or in-hospital rehabilitation, such applications are difficult and have many known problems.

The present invention has been made in the light of these problems of the conventional tools. It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a training tool capable of varying interval of gripping hands by selecting a position of grips, enhancing the gripping force when held by both hands, and being widely usable in various and multiple applications such as for muscle stretching, muscle strengthening, physical massage, physical checkup, aesthetic weight loss training, in-hospital rehabilitation for various parts of the body by selecting the posture of the user, such as, for pushing, pulling, gripping, half sitting, sitting or lying, and selecting the direction of hands, such as, with normal hands or reversed hands.

Means for Solving the Problems

To solve the problems, the present invention provides an integral loop of oblong rectangular frame in a plan view consisting of a pair of first grips substantially extending in parallel to each other, and a pair of second grips substantially extending parallel to each other and connecting both ends of the first grips, while the interval between the second grips being smaller than that between the first grips, wherein the first grips are straight or slightly curved, and wherein the second grips are curved like an bow as seen from the front, such that the central portions of the second grips extend inwardly of the rectangular frame in a plan view so as to come close to each other.

The connecting portions of the first grips 1 a and second grips 1 b is a round rectangular shape, so that the wrist or ankle may be inserted in the rectangular frame. At least one pair of the first and second grips 1 a, 1 b are covered with elastic grip covers 8. At least one of the first grips 1 a is provided with a weight 5.

In the training tool of the present invention having such structure, the pair of first grips 1 a and the pair of second grips 1 b having a smaller mutual interval as compared with the first grips 1 a allow the interval between both hands to vary when the user selectively grips the first grips 1 a or second grips 1 b.

The first grips 1 a formed in a straight line or a slightly curved line, and the second grips 1 b curved like an bow as seen from the front, and slightly bent in an inward direction of the rectangular frame in a plan view are effective to enhance the gripping force of the user when held by both hands, and the concave and convex shape of the second grips 1 b having the curved portion helps the user to push, lift or warp various parts of the body to realize training and stretching in multiple aspects.

Further, the user can insert the wrist or ankle inside of and engage with the first grips 1 a, and twist the wrist or ankle, and can take various postures in various modes of use.

When the elastic grip cover 8 is held, and the parts of body are pressed against, the reaction is soft, and the comfort of use is enhanced for the user. The weight 5 of the first grip 1 a increases the centrifugal force when twisting or gripping by holding the other first grip 1 a not provided with the weight 5 by one hand, and the training and stretching action is intensified.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, when gripping by both hands, by selecting and gripping either the pair of first grips 1 a, or the second grips 1 b of smaller interval, the width interval of both hands can be varied, when training or stretching by using both hands, the pressing or relaxing action on various parts of body may be effectively changed, and the gripping performance when held by both hands or one hand may be also enhanced. Still more, the modes of use may be variously changed, and, for example, depending on the position or direction of pushing, pulling, or twisting the part of body, the hands, arms, feet, legs, and other parts of body can be trained or stretched, and it may be used in multiple applications including muscle stretching and training, muscle strengthening, body massage, physical checkup, aesthetic weight loss training, and in-hospital rehabilitation.

This is realized by the present invention having the pair of first grips 1 a almost parallel and relative to each other, and the pair of second grips 1 b almost parallel and relative to each other, connecting both ends of the first grips 1 a, in a smaller mutual interval as compared with the first grips 1 a, and the first grips 1 a and second grips 1 b are formed in an integral loop. Hence, by changing the gripping positions when held by both hands, the muscle strengthening position may be selected by changing the width interval of both hands, or by holding by both hands or one hand, the pressing, pulling or twisting positions or directions of the body may be changed and selected, and various types of training are realized by laying up or down the body, sitting down, sitting halfway, or standing, or pushing or pulling the whole body, or parts of body, such as neck, shoulders, waist, abdomen, hands, feet, wrist, or ankle.

The first grips 1 a are formed in a straight line or a slightly curved line, and the second grips 1 b are curved like an bow as seen from the front, and slightly narrowed in an inward direction of the rectangular frame in a plan view so that the central parts may be closer to each other, and therefore the first grips 1 a and second grips 1 b enhance the gripping performance when held by both hands. Since the second grips 1 a are curved like a bow, the convex portion may be used for pressing parts of body, and applied in various training modes, such as stretching of neck or waist, rehabilitation while sealed in wheelchair, massage on the back by using chair or in lying position or standing position. The concave portion of the second grips 1 b may be fitted to parts of body, and the body may be lifted by gripping the first grips 1 a at the same time.

The first grips 1 a are formed in a round rectangular shape, and the wrist or ankle may be inserted inside, and the wrist or ankle may be inserted and twisted, or the ankle may be passed while lying up or down on the floor, and lifted to stretch the legs and waist.

At least one pair of the first and second grips 1 a, 1 b are provided with elastic covers 8, and when gripping them, the touch on hands and fingers is soft, and if the first and second grips 1 a, 1 b are made of aluminum or other metal, the touch is improved, and the feel of use is excellent.

Further, either one of the pair of first grips 1 a is provided with a weight 5, and the other first grip 1 a not provided with weight 5 is held by one hand, and by gripping and shaking the tool main body 1, the centrifugal force is increased, and by gripping the imbalanced training tool having the weight at one side, a delicate sense of balance of the body may be created, and stimulation can be applied to the brain and muscle, and the inner muscles of shoulder or scapula may be trained.

On the other hand, the skeleton of a human being walking on two feet is structurally very heavy in the load in the central body parts including the pelvis, spine, and scapular cord, and lumbago, stiff shoulder and back pain are likely to occur due to stress, lowering of muscular strength, or strain of body. Accordingly, by fitting the second grips 1 b of bow shape of the training tool having the structure of the present invention to the pelvis, spine, or scapular cord, these troubles are improved. For example, by moving the second grips 1 b and rubbing against the pelvis or dorsal muscle, and their movable regions can be expanded, and when rubbed against the spine or latissimus dorsi of the back, the spine can be adjusted by the user alone, or when rubbed against the pelvis, stiff shoulder or lumbago may be improved, and outstanding effects are obtained in the training of abdominal muscle, dorsal muscle, and the soma.

Applications are further expanded to core relaxation for improving fatigue or tension of core muscles, core strengthening for fortifying core muscles, rehabilitation of elderly people or patients in care center or hospital, improvement of physical function of ordinary people, self-massage of hands, feet and waist, and training and stretching of athletes and sportsmen.

It may be further applied in physical checkup of muscular strength, flexibility, and sense of balance of parts of body. For example, physical strength and muscular balance of the user can be tested depending on the abdominal muscle strength, dorsal muscle strength, sense of balance, movable range of scapula, retaining force of adductor, Ham test, flexibility of diaphragm, flexibility of hip joint by knee narrowing, number of times, or duration of use. Besides, two people can make a pair to check the physical conditions while enjoying like a game.

Still more, the training tool of the present invention is usable as a new item in sports club, following the balance ball and stretch ball, and it is usable as exercise good for women in sports club. By abdominal massage of the subcostal diaphragm, deep breathing can be learned, or peristalsis of small and large intestines is promoted, and constipation may be cleared. In a sports club, this training tool is placed at the side of the stretch board for training, and it is readily used as a stretch partner.

On the other hand, in studio program, it can be used as assisting tool for core training, stretch class, chair exercise, pilates, muscle conditioning, abdominal tightening, weight loss, fighting, etc. In particular, it is expected to have effects on enhancement of performance of athletes, and sharpness of hip muscles may be intensified among gold, baseball or tennis players.

Further, fine actions and speedy move of scapula favored by players of soccer, rugby and boxing may be expected to be strengthened. In particular, baseball pitchers are extremely fatigued in inner muscles of shoulder, and by holding the training tool by one hand, setting the shoulder in zero position, and shuffling by bending the elbow slightly, shoulder fatigue may be prevented or improved.

For office workers, by simple stretching, fatigue from hours of computer and desk work may be alleviated. For students in class or at home, stiff shoulder is improved and learning ability is enhanced, and it is also use as lumbago remedy or sleepiness preventive tool for drivers and those seated for a long time in airplane, vehicle, cinema, etc.

When the first grips 1 a and second grips 1 b are made of waterproof materials, the tool can be used in underwater training and stretching in bathroom, sauna room, swimming pool or the like, and various motions making use of resistance or buoyancy of water are possible as aquatic exercise in rehabilitation.

Reference numerals provided in the means for solving the problems and effects of the present invention are intended to correspond to the reference numerals provided in the drawings, and the present invention is not limited by the structure and shape indicated by the reference numerals in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a best mode for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example of training tool of the embodiment, (a) being a plan view, (b) being a front view, and (c) being a side view.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of other embodiment, being formed by metal pipe materials.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of other embodiment, being formed by metal pipe materials, and coated with covering materials.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of other embodiment, being coated with grip covers.

FIG. 6 shows examples of method of use of the training tool, (a) being a front view in which the first grips are held by both hands, (b) being a front view in which the second grips are held by both hands, (c) being a side view in which one first grip is held by one hand, (d) being a side view in which one second grip is held by one hand, and (e) being a front view in which both wrists are inserted into the main body of the tool.

FIG. 7 shows another examples of method of use, (a) being a side view of the body in which the first grips are held by both hands and arms are bent back and forth, (b) being a front view of the body moved horizontally sideways, (c) being a front view of a twisted body, (d) being a side view of the body lifted upward, and (e) being a front view of the body bent and twisted in the upper half with the head left behind.

FIG. 8 shows further examples of method of use, (a) and (b) being side views for stretching the waist and back.

FIG. 9 is a side view of method of use, in which the body is arched on the floor and stretched.

FIG. 10 is a front view of method of use, in which the user sits on a chair, grips by both hands, and twists the body back and forth.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Tool main body -   1 a First grips -   1 b Second grips -   2 Pipe -   3 Cover member -   4 Tape -   5 Weight -   6 Coupling member -   6 a Large end -   6 b Small end -   7 Screw -   8 Grip cover

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, a best mode for carrying out the present invention is described, and reference numeral 1 in the drawing denotes a tool main body made of wood, aluminum or other method for composing the training tool of the present invention formed in a desired size so as to be usable by men, women, and children. The tool main body 1 is a frame body of integral loop, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, having a pair of first grips 1 a almost parallel and relative to each other formed in a slight line or slightly curved shape, and a pair of second grips 1 b almost parallel and relative to each other in a smaller mutual interval as compared with the first grips 1 a for connecting mutually both ends of the first grips 1 a.

In an overall plan view, the outer shape is a round oblong rectangular shape resembling a human pelvis seen from above, and the mutual interval of the first grips 1 a is wider than the mutual interval of the second grips 1 b, being about 2 to 4 times larger. The second grips 1 b are slightly narrowed in the mutual interval in inward direction, and are curved like a bow in a direction nearly orthogonal to the narrowing direction, and a wing-like arch is formed. The arch forms the narrow interval portion formed by curving a quarter bow of a circumference, and the entire shape is a wing-like arch, formed in a loop frame together with the first grips 1 a.

That is, in an overall plan view, the first grips 1 a are positioned at right and left sides of the plane, and the second grips 1 b are positioned at front and rear (upper and lower) sides (see FIG. 2 (a)), and in an entire front view, the first grips 1 a are at lower position in lateral direction, and the second grips 1 b are positioned above the first grips 1 b in longitudinal direction, presenting a convex shape (see FIG. 2 (b)), and in an entire side view, the first grips 1 a are positioned at front and rear (left ad right) sides, and the second grips 1 b are positioned above the first grips 1 a at left and right (front and rear) sides (see FIG. 2 (c)). The directions such as front, plan and side are intended to explain the shape of the training tool of the present invention, and are not intended to specify the present invention.

The second grips 1 b are slightly narrowed in a plan view so as to be closer to each other, and the spreading angle is about 150 degrees, but depending on the case, they may be set almost parallel without being narrowed. The first grips 1 a and second grips 1 b have a proper outside diameter so as to be gripped directly by the hands and fingers of the user, and the first grips 1 a have a flat and slightly round rectangular frame shape, and the wrist or ankle may be inserted inside the rectangular frame, and when the first grips 1 a and second grips 1 b are held by both hands, the internal space is wide enough not to cause direct contact of fingers of right and left hands.

The specific size of the parts of the tool main body 1 is properly specified, that is, the diameter of first grips 1 a is about 25 mm, the diameter of second grips 1 b is about 20 mm, so that the outside diameter may be gripped easily by fingers, the outside width at the end of first grips 1 a is about 130 mm, the outside width in the middle of second grips 1 b is about 100 mm, and the height from the end of first grips 1 a to the middle of second grips 1 b is about 100 mm. The mutual interval of second grips 1 b is about 60 mm in the inside width corresponding to a proper interval when the tool is fitted to both sides of the spine of the user. The curvature size of first grips tai is about 85 mm in inside width for the ease of passing or fitting the arm, wrist or ankle, and the curvature size of second grips 1 b is about 120 degrees in the curvature angle when the tool main body 1 is seen from side. These specific dimensions are mere examples, and the present invention is not limited to these dimensions alone.

The shape of the tool main body 1 may be carved from a wooden block, for example, or a loop may be formed of first grips 1 a and second grips 1 b by bending and deforming rod materials in high temperature heating furnace. Or, wooden blocks may be machined by machine tool, and the first grips 1 a and second grips 1 b may be formed integrally in a specified shape. When using wood materials, if necessary, a reinforcing agent may be impregnated.

In other example of manufacturing the shape of the tool main body 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the middle position of aluminum pipe 2 is curved and formed into the shape of second grips 1 b, and both sides are folded, and formed integrally to a size of about half length of first grips 1 a, and symmetrical right and left halves of the tool main body 1 are fabricated preliminarily. Small ends 6 b are formed integrally at both side through a central large end 6 aa, and a circular columnar coupling member 6 having a resisting strength is formed, and the small ends 6 b are inserted into opening ends of the first grips 1 a, and screws 7 are tightened and fixed from both sides, and the split first grips 1 a are coupled and fixed, and an integral loop is formed.

In other example of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, out of the mutually opposing first grips 1 a, one side may be provided with a slightly thick weight 5. In this case, when manufacturing the shape of the tool main body 1, first, part of rigid pipe 2 of circular ring metal or the like is cut off, and the cut portion is fused and connected through a metal solid weight 5, and an arc portion of the weight 5, and the opposite arc portion are cut off, the central parts of the mutually opposite arc portions are mutually narrowed inward by compressive deforming, and by curving in concave and convex profile in direction nearly orthogonal to the narrowing direction, so that the first grips 1 a and second grips 1 b may be formed.

As required, further, the circumference is coated with a soft cover member 3 of urethane resin or silicone rubber, and a tape 4 of cork material having various color patterns formed the surface is wound thereon. At this time, the tool main body 1 is formed into a proper size depending on users, adult men, adult women, or children. Instead of using soft member 3, the pipe 3 may be directly wound with cork tape 4.

In manufacture of shape of the tool main body 1, the pair of first grips 1 a of pipe 2 and pair of second grips 1 b of pipe may be preliminarily formed in specified shape, and then they may be coupled by welding or other process. Not limited to metal pipe 2, for example, rigid synthetic resin may be used. In this case, the rigid synthetic resin material is molded by injection, and the first grips 1 a and second grips 1 b are individually formed integrally. The material of pipe 2 includes polypropylene resin, polyurethane resin, other synthetic resins, stainless steel, titanium, other metal materials, and shape memory alloys, and the cover material includes polypropylene resin, polyurethane resin, other synthetic resins, natural and synthetic leather materials, rubber, and cloth materials.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first grips 1 a may be coated with an elastic grip cover 8 known as sponge rubber, and this grip cover 8 helps to fit the hands and fingers softly when gripping the first and second grips 1 a, 1 b. The grip cover 8 may be also applied on the second grips 1 b, or all parts of the first grips 1 a and second grips 1 b may be covered.

A best method of using the tool having such configuration is described. In the form of use, the gripping mode of the tool main body 1 includes selecting of first grips 1 a or second grips 1 b when inserting inside or gripping, holding by one hand or two hands, holding in normal hands or reverse hands, sitting in chair, lying up or down on floor of the use when gripping, standing on open legs, standing on closed legs, squatting, pushing or pulling on whole body, twisting, and changing positions in more than 300 different styles, and only typical examples are shown below.

When the tool main body 1 is held by both hands, by holding the first grips 1 a by both hands as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the width interval is wide, or holding the second grips 1 b by both hands as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the width interval is narrow. Thus, by holding either the first grips 1 a or the second grips 1 b by both hands, the width interval is changed, and positions of training or stretching can be easily changed.

When the tool main body 1 is held by one hand, one of the first grips 1 a is held by one hand as shown in FIG. 6 (c), or one of the second grips 1 b is held by one hand as shown in FIG. 6 (d). When held by one hand or both hands, the arch-curved convex side of the second grip 1 b may be directed either ahead of or behind the body. Besides, the wrist may be inserted in the first grips 1 a (see FIG. 6 (e)).

Next, the first grips 1 a of the tool main body 1 may be held by both hands. The second grips 1 b of the tool main body 1 may be held by both hands. Training or stretching while seated in chair may be also possible. By changing the fitting position of the body by the tool main body 1, a desired “tsubo” can be stimulated.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first grips 1 a are held by both hands, and the arms are stretched forward, or pulled toward the body (FIG. 7 (a)), or while the first grips 1 a are held by both hands, they are moved horizontally right and left (FIG. 7 (b)), or the first grips 1 a are held by both hands and twisted and rotated (FIG. 7 (c)), the both arms are raised above the head and warped longitudinally and laterally (FIG. 7 (d)), or the grips are twisted laterally behind the head (FIG. 7 (e)), and various modes of exercise are realized.

As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the first grips 1 a of the tool main body 1 are held by both hands, and the arch-curved convex side of the second grip 1 b is fitted to the backbone or the waist, and is rubbed against the spine wile changing the speed, or pushed forward, or pushed in eight directions in vertical, lateral and oblique directions. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), it is effective to warp behind either foot while folding its knee, and as required, in this case, the pelvis may be gyrated when fitting to the waist.

As shown in FIG. 9, the tool main body 1 is placed on the floor, and the tool main body 1 is supported on the floor by the first grips 1 a, and the arch-curved convex side of the second grip 1 b is directed upward. The user lies in face-up position, and stretches by warping the back or waist against the convex side of the second grip 1 b. The user further sits up and trains by raising the upper half or lower half of the body in face-up position on the floor.

As show in FIG. 10, by gripping two tool main bodies 1 by both hands, the both hands are moved in balance, and the body is warped or twisted back and forth, right and left, or the entire body is twisted, and trained and stretched in various manners. At this time, by sitting in chair, the body can be twisted more widely, and the efficiency may be enhanced.

Thus, the tool main body 1 of the present invention may be applied to any position of the body, and it can be easily used in muscle stretching, muscle strengthening, and body massage, and further in physical checkup, aesthetic weight loss training, or in-hospital training. 

1. A training tool forming an integral loop of oblong rectangular frame in a plan view consisting of a pair of first grips substantially extending in parallel to each other, and a pair of second grips substantially extending parallel to each other and connecting both ends of the first grips, while the interval between the second grips being smaller than that between the first grips, wherein the first grips are straight or slightly curved, and wherein the second grips are curved like an bow as seen from the front, such that the central portions of the second grips extend inwardly of the rectangular frame in a plan view so as to come close to each other.
 2. The training tool according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portions of the first grips and second grips take a round rectangular shape so that the wrist or ankle may be inserted in the rectangular frame.
 3. The training tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one pair of the first and second grips are covered with elastic grip covers.
 4. The training tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first grips is provided with a weight.
 5. The training tool according to claim 2, wherein at least one pair of the first and second grips are covered with elastic grip covers.
 6. The training tool according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first grips is provided with a weight.
 7. The training tool according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the first grips is provided with a weight. 